"You do not have control over your employees' lives. It's simply none of your business what they do when they're not working for you," Chris Williams said in an article published by online media

Chris Williams, Microsoft's former vice-president of HR (Human resources), supported the idea of employees working multiple jobs in a "clear message to employers". “You do not have control over your employees' lives." It's simply none of your business what they do when they're not working for you," Williams said in an article published by Business Insider India.

Working multiple jobs, according to the leadership advisor, is "a part of the fabric of the working world" and "so common that it's in the origin stories of many successful people."

In the article, the former HR director discussed the benefits of working from home and how it has allowed several people to work multiple jobs.

Managers "thinking their claim to employees' time is exclusive" is "unrealistic," he says. He did, however, mention the "problem" that occurs when an employee works "for a competitor — or, worse, leveraging confidential information."

"But outside of that, an employee using their time or skills to make additional income comes down to one simple question," he went on to say. What exactly is the question?

It is whether or not the employee is getting "the job — your job — done".

"If an employee is underperforming, address the shortfall." Hold them accountable for their output. Demand that they provide the value for which you are paying them. "Treat it like any other performance issue," Chris advised.

He also advised managers to recognise and reward their employees' achievements. "Especially if they are a very high performer, you should reward their performance and acknowledge their success."

"And acknowledge their second job," he went on to say.